Counter

ABSTRACT

Power train for amphibious vehicle comprises engine aligned with longitudinal vehicle axis, transmission, and power take off mounted between engine and transmission. At least one marine propulsion unit mounted at the rear of the vehicle, is driven by shaft which runs alongside the transmission. Either transmission is offset to axis, and marine propulsion unit is on axis; or transmission is on axis, and the marine propulsion units are offset to axis. The driven road wheels may be the front wheels, the rear wheels, or all four. The engine may be at the front of the vehicle and the transmission at the back. Alternatively, the transmission may drive forward to a differential mounted adjacent to the engine sump, with wheel drive shaft passing through said pump.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a counter, more particularly to an electronic batch counter for use on paper feed devices, such as paper finishing machines.

It is common for a feed device, such as a paper folding or paper finishing machine, to be provided with a counter for counting product passing through the feed device, for example at the discharge or output stage of processing.

Conventional counters operate using a mechanical counting device configured for detecting and recording the passage of product being processed. In addition, the mechanical counter will typically include or operate in conjunction with a means for identifying when a desired quantity or ‘batch’ of product has been counted.

For example, it is known to incorporate a mechanical device, often referred to as a knocker or kicker, for identifying individual batches of processed product. The knocker or kicker is usually arranged adjacent the process pathway of the product passing through the feed device, and is adapted for offsetting the position of a counted product ‘n’ as it passes through the feed device, wherein product ‘n’ represents the last product in a desired batch quantity, e.g. every 50^(th) product. The use of a knocker or kicker enables individual batches of processed product to be visually identified.

As an alternative to mechanical kickers, it is also known to use electronic means such as an electronic interrupt circuit, to operate as part of or in conjunction with the counter. An interrupt circuit is typically programmed to interrupt the feed of product being counted after the passage of a pre-determined batch quantity, for example after every 50^(th) product. The interruption creates a gap between each batch quantity, which enables individual batches to be easily identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved counter for a paper feed device.

According to the broadest aspect of the invention, there is provided a counter for a paper feed device, for counting product being processed by the paper feed device, the counter comprising electronic counter means for accumulating count data indicative of the number of items of processed product, in which the counter means operates to record an incremental count value in response to signals transmitted to counter means via sensor means, each signal being indicative of product detected by the sensor means, and in which the counter includes control means adapted to indicate when a desired batch quantity of product has been counted.

Conveniently, the control means is adapted to produce an interrupt signal when a desired batch quantity has been counted.

Preferably, the counter includes interrupt means for interrupting the passage of product to be counted after a predetermined batch quantity has been counted.

In a preferred embodiment, the interrupt means is in the form of a solenoid activated device comprising a member movable to prevent the passage of product to be counted. The interrupt means may comprise a swing arm adapted to be moved between an operative position in which the passage of product to be counted is prevented, and an inoperative position in which product is free to pass beyond the interrupt means.

Alternatively, the interrupt means is in the form of an electrical interrupt circuit, adapted to selectively interrupt the processing of product to be counted.

Preferably, the counter includes sensor means for detecting the passage of product to be counted.

In a preferred embodiment, the counter includes sensor means, which includes two sensor heads arranged for passage of product to be counted therebetween, and wherein a count signal is generated every time a product to be counted passes between the sensor heads.

Conveniently, the interrupt means and the sensor means comprise a single unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the control means includes a variable count mode, adapted to enable a first predetermined number of selected batch values to be counted, followed by at least a second predetermined number of selected batch values to be counted.

The invention provides an improved alternative to conventional counter for paper feed devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the front of a counter unit for use in a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the rear of the counter unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the control and counter circuitry of the unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a sensor unit for use with the unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a kicker device mounted on the sensor unit shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a normal running mode of an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing part of a modified running mode of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 3, an electronic counter unit is indicated generally at 10, which forms part of a batch counter according to an embodiment of the invention for use with a paper or sheet feed device, such as a paper finishing machine or a paper folding machine.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the front 11 of the counter unit 10 includes an LCD portion 12 for displaying operative details of the batch counter. The front of the unit 10 also includes an operator interface 14 having function buttons 16, which enables an operator to manually select or programme a mode of operation of the batch counter, as will be described in more detail below. A light 18 is provided in the front of the unit 10, which illuminates during the counting operation of the unit 10 (described below). Further, a reset button 20 is included for resetting the mode of operation of the unit 10 and the display details on the LCD portion 12, as will be described below.

Turning to FIG. 2, a plurality of sockets are provided in the rear of the counter unit 10. The sockets include a power socket 22 for connection to a mains power source, and auxiliary ports 24, 26 and 28. Auxiliary port 24 is provided for connecting the counter unit 10 to a conventional electronic interrupt circuit for interrupting the operation of a paper feed device, such as a paper finishing machine or a paper folding machine. Auxiliary port 26 is provided for connecting the counter unit 10 to a sensor unit, such as that described below with reference to FIG. 4 and auxiliary port 28 is provided for connecting the counter unit 10 to a mechanical kicker device, such as that described below with reference to FIG. 5.

The rear 21 of the counter unit 10 also includes a switch 29, which is used to select the means of operation of the counter unit 10, e.g. for indicating which auxiliary port the unit is configured to, operate in conjunction with for a given feed device or feeding processing job.

The counter unit 10 houses electronic controller and counter circuitry, indicated at 30 in FIG. 3. The circuitry 30 includes a signal detector portion 32 adapted to communicate with port 26 for detecting signals from a sensor unit. The circuitry 30 also includes a memory portion 34 for storing incremental count data from the signal detector. The memory portion 34 includes a batch count memory portion, a job count memory portion, a total count memory portion and a life memory portion, all of which will be described in more detail below.

A controller circuit 36 is provided in communication with memory portion 34. The controller 36 is programmable via the operator interface 14, for setting the mode of operation of the unit 10 and for activating the interrupt means selects via auxiliary ports 24, 26 or 28. Operation of the circuitry 30 is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a senor unit for use with the counter 10 is indicated at 40. The sensor unit 40 includes a base plate 42 for securing the sensor unit 40 at a desired position on a paper feeding machine. Typically, the sensor unit 40 will be bolted or clamped at a desired position on a paper feed device, for example at the output end of the feed device. The sensor unit 40 also includes a side panel 44 for mounting a kicker device, such as the device described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

The sensor unit 40 includes a pair of columns 46 extending from the base portion 42 at a predetermined spacing from one another. The columns 46 are arranged for enabling product to be counted between the columns 46.

Each column 46 includes a sensor head 48 containing motion sensor means, one of which is indicated at 50 in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the motion sensor means 50 are in the form of a light source mounted in a first sensor head 48 and a light sensor mounted in the other column 48. The motion sensor means 50 generate a signal if the communication pathway between the sensor means 50 is interrupted, for example if a product to be counted physically blocks the communication pathway between the light source and light sensor. The signal is then detected by the counter unit 10, as described in more detail below.

Turning now FIG. 5, a solenoid kicker device, is indicated at 52, for use with the counter unit 10. As can be seen, the kicker device 52 is mounted on the side plate 44 of the sensor unit 40. The kicker device 52 includes a pivoting arm 54 movable between an operative position, as shown in FIG. 5 and an inoperative position (not shown), under the control of a solenoid 56.

The solenoid 56 is configured to move the arm 54 to the operative position in response to a signal transmitted from the controller circuit of the counter unit 10, as will be described below. In the operative position, the arm 54 extends across the distance between the columns 46 of the sensor unit 40, thereby preventing the product passing through the sensor unit 40, in use. In the inoperative position, the arm 54 extends substantially parallel with the columns 46 on the sensor unit 40, so that product may pass between the columns 46.

As described in more detail below, the counter unit 10 transmits the actuation signal when a pre-determined batch quantity is detected as having passed through the columns 46 of the sensor unit 40. The kicker arm 54 is arranged to strike and thereby offset a product ‘n’ as it passes through the paper feed device, where product ‘n’ represents the last product in a desired batch quantity. This enables a specified batch quantity to be visually identified. The time interval between activating the arm to move to the operative position and returning the arm to the inoperative position is referred to as the interrupt or ‘dwell’ time, which is controlled by the controller circuit 36 and is set using the operator interface 14.

An example of a typical use for the invention will now be described, in conjunction with the flow diagram for a normal running mode, shown in FIG. 6. In this example, the batch counter according to the invention is arranged for counting batches of leaflets passing through a paper finishing (folding) machine.

In this embodiment, the unit 10 is arranged to operate with the kicker device and 52 and the senor unit 40. The kicker device 52 is mounted on the sensor unit 30 to form a single unit, which is mounted at the output end of the final stage of processing of the machine, for counting the finished leaflets as they are discharged.

The sensor unit is arranged to that the columns 46 are aligned in the process pathway of the leaflets such that the processed leaflets pass, in turn, between the sensor heads 48 on the columns 46. The sensor/kicker unit is also arranged with the kicker device 52 on the output side of the sensor unit 40, with the kicker arm 54 stowed in its inoperative position.

Sensor unit 40 and kicker device 52 are connected to ports 26 and 28 respectively, via cables (not shown), and the switch 29 is set to indicate that the unit 10 is operating via both ports 26 and 28. The desired program or mode of operation is set using the function buttons 17 on the operator interface 14, which is indicated on the LCD portion 12. In this example, the unit 10 is programmed to count a total job count of 1000 leaflets consisting of 10 batches of 100 leaflets. For each batch, a dwell or interrupt time of 0.5 seconds is used.

To start the program, the reset button 20 is pressed which zeros a batch count value shown on the LCD portion 12. The counter unit 10 then communicates with the paper finishing machine to initiate the leaflet finishing process, causing a series of folded leaflets to be produced.

As each folded leaflet passes between the sensor heads 48, it physically interrupts the communication pathway between the motion sensor means 50. A signal is produced for each sequential interruption, which is instantaneously communicated to the base counter unit 10 via port 26. For each signal, an increment of one is registered in both the total count memory and the batch count memory, representative of a finished leaflet being counted. The sequential increments are accumulated by the memories, and the count is transmitted to the control circuit 36 to be displayed on the LCD 12. In addition, the light 18 on the front of the unit 10 is illuminated upon each detected interruption, and the throughput rate of the product being counted (e.g. sheets per hour) is indicated on the LCD 12.

After each increment, the control circuit 36 checks whether the value in the batch count memory equals the set batch total, i.e. 100. If the incremental total is less than the set batch total, the process continues. If the incremental total is equal the set batch total, the controller circuit generates an instantaneous signal which is transmitted via port 28 to the kicker device 52.

Accordingly, the solenoid 56 instantaneously actuates the kicker arm 54 to move to the operative position shown in FIG. 5, whereby the last leaflet in the first batch is struck by the arm 54 and is offset relative to the adjacent leaflets in the process pathway.

In the operative position, the kicker arm 54 extends across the process pathway and momentarily prevents further product passing beyond the kicker device 52. In this position, the reset button 20 is illuminated to indicate that the kicker/pause function has been activated. Once the dwell period of 0.5 seconds has elapsed, the control circuit 36 acts to operate the solenoid 56 and deactivate the kicker arm 54 to return to its inoperative position.

At the time that the kicker device 52 is activated, the control circuit 36 resets the batch count memory and the accumulated batch count on the LCD 12.

This cycle continue until the job count memory value reaches the set value of 100 leaflets, whereupon the unit 10 communicates with the feeding machine to halt processing.

This cycle is repeated until the job count memory value reaches the set value of 1000 leaflets, whereupon the unit 10 communicates with the finishing machine to halt processing. The counted product is easily identifiable as constituting ten distinct batches by the offset leaflets.

The life count memory runs alongside the batch count memory and job count memory, for keeping a lifetime total of increments recorded by the unit 10. This enables periodic maintenance to be carried out after a given number of ‘counts’, for example 50 000 increments. In this embodiment, the control circuit 36 is programmed to display a message of the LCD portion 12 to call a maintenance engineer.

The unit 10 also includes a variable count mode, for example for use as a calibration tool for checking that circuitry 30 and/or the means of interrupt used with the unit 10 is functioning correctly. FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram for a portion of this variable count mode and will be described by way of example with reference to a pre-programmed calibration test.

The calibration test is set to count a total number of 1000 leaflets, wherein the first 200 leaflets have a kick or batch indication per 50 leaflets with a dwell time of 0.5 seconds, the next 500 leaflets have a kick or batch indication per 100 leaflets with a dwell time of 0.5 seconds, and the last 300 leaflets having a kick or batch indication per 30 leaflets, with a dwell time of 0.5 seconds. That is to say, the calibration test consists of a set total count which is broken down into three individually set jobs, wherein each job includes its own batch value. The test is set with each job value having a set dwell period of 4 seconds.

In the variable count mode, the unit 10 utilises the batch count memory for activating the kicker device 52 when the programmed batch value is reached, a job count memory for activating the kicker device 52 and re-setting the batch value after completion of each ‘job’, and a total count memory for stopping the processing of the product being counted after the set total number of product has been counted, i.e. after all the jobs have been completed.

Once the variable count mode has been selected, the finishing machine begins processing leaflets. With each subsequent signal transmitted to the unit 10 from the sensor unit 40, the three memories are each incremented by 1.

When the batch count total reaches 50, the kicker device is activated and then returned to the inoperative position after the 0.5 second dwell time period has elapsed. At the same time, the batch count memory is re-set to zero. This cycle is then repeated until the job count total reaches 200 at which point the kicker device 52 is activated for the 4 second dwell period. At the same time, the job count and batch count memories are re-set to zero

The control circuit 36 then changes the batch count set value to 100 and the job count set value to 500. The above cycle is then repeated, wherein a kick is activated for every 100 leaflets up to a total of 500 leaflets.

When the second job count total reaches 500, the control circuitry 36 then changes the batch count set value to 30 and the job count set value to 300, before repeating the above cycle.

The variable count mode can be programmed to alter batch sizes and job counts for any given number of cycles. It is also advantageous in that, where it has been found that a particular arrangement of different total of product batches can be optimally packaged, e.g. in a particular box, a particular string of batches or jobs can br programmed for efficient packaging of the product being processed and counted.

It will be appreciated that the unit 10 can operate in substantially the same manner as described above, with reference to both the normal running mode and the calibration or variable count mode, with a combination of suitable kicker/sensor/electronic interruption devices. If an electronic interruption device is used (via port 24), the programmed dwell time will act to momentarily stop the processing of the product being counted, to provide a gap in the product out-feed, indicative of the end of a required batch quantity. 

1. A counter for a paper feed device, for counting product being processed by the paper feed device, the counter comprising: electronic counter means for accumulating count data indicative of the number of items of processed product, in which the counter means operates to record an incremental count value in response to signals transmitted to counter means via sensor means, each signal being indicative of product detected by the sensor means, and in which the counter includes control means adapted to indicate when a desired batch quantity of product has been counted.
 2. A counter as claimed in claim 1, in which the control means is adapted to produce an interrupt signal when a desired batch quantity has been counted.
 3. A counter as claimed in claim 1 in which the counter includes interrupt means for interrupting the passage of product to be counted after a predetermined batch quantity has been counted.
 4. A counter as claimed in claim 3, in which the interrupt means is in the form of a solenoid activated device comprising a member movable to prevent the passage of product to be counted.
 5. A counter as claimed in claim 3 in which the interrupt means comprises a swing arm adapted to be moved between an operative position in which the passage of product to be counted is prevented, and an inoperative position in which product is free to pass beyond the interrupt means.
 6. A counter as claimed in claim 3, in which the interrupt means is in the form of an electrical interrupt circuit, adapted to selectively interrupt the processing of product to be counted.
 7. A counter as claimed in claim 1, in which the counter includes sensor means for detecting the passage of product to be counted.
 8. A counter as claimed in claim 7, in which the sensor means includes two sensor heads arranged for passage of product to be counted therebetween, wherein a signal is generated every time a product to be counted passes between the sensor heads.
 9. A counter as claimed in claim 7 when dependent on claim 3 or 4, in which the interrupt means and the sensor means comprise a single unit.
 10. A counter as claimed claim 1, in which the control means include a variable count mode, adapted to enable a first predetermined number of selected batch values to be counted, followed by at least a second predetermined number of selected batch values to be counted. 